Cultural Analysis Essay: Why is abortion not frowned-upon amongst some members of the American Society?
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Estefanny Juca
Heather Pope
Composition and Literature
Cultural Analysis
Why is abortion not frowned-upon amongst some members of the American Society?
With the legalization of abortion with the Roe vs. Wade in 1973, safe and legal medical means became available to most of the population. Since the Supreme Court reestablished legal abortion in the U.S. (P. a. Susan Dudley), the procedure could be done discreetly and quietly. The decision to have an abortion is highly criticized by those who are pro-life. But one may ask if it is not yourself getting the abortion why do you care? Prolife advocates are the ones’ who frown up abortion in the American society. On the other hand Pro-choice advocates believe that abortion is a safe medical procedure, religions had once accepted it, and abortion should be a choice of the woman. As mentioned previously, why should anyone that is not the woman getting the abortion, care?
Surgical abortion is one of the safest types of medical procedures. Complications from having a first-trimester aspiration abortion are considerably less frequent and less serious than those associated with giving birth. There are some things women can do to lower their risks of complications (P. a. Susan Dudley). One way to reduce risk of complications is to have the abortion procedure early. Generally, the earlier the abortion, the less complicated and safer it is. Serious complications arising from aspiration abortions provided before 13 weeks are very rare. Complication rates are somewhat higher for surgical abortions provided between 13 and 24 weeks than for the first-trimester procedures. General anesthesia, which is sometimes used in surgical abortion procedures of any gestation, carries its own risks (P. a. Susan Dudley). In a sense if something were to go wrong during or after the procedure the chances of it being from the anesthesia are much higher than from the actual abortion. Aside from the procedure being safe in order for everything to go accordingly the factors that have to be taken in consideration are the kind of anesthesia used, the woman’s overall health, the abortion method used and the skill and training of the provider (P. a. Susan Dudley). Medical abortions have less than 0.5% risk of serious complications and do not affect a woman’s health or future ability to become pregnant or give birth. If abortions were and unsafe procedure would doctors and medical providers want to lose permits or their reputations? Many would think they would not.
When religious positions on abortion are discussed, we usually hear how abortion is condemned and regarded as murder. Religious traditions vary amongst each and every one of them. In fact, religions most publicly opposed to abortion, we find that their traditions would permit abortion, even if only in limited circumstances. Roman Catholicism and Abortion, Roman Catholicism is popularly associated with a strict anti-abortion position, but this strictness only dates to Pope Pius XI’s 1930 encyclical Casti Connubi; early church theologians generally allow abortion in the first 3 months and prior to quickening, when the soul supposedly entered the fetus (Cline). At some point in time Catholics did not condemn or see it as a sin to abort. Protestant Christianity & Abortion, abortion is common in Protestant circles but support for abortion rights is also common it’s just not as loud. There is no single Protestan position on abortion (Cline). Judaism & Abortion, Jewish tradition allows for abortion for the sake of the mother because there is no soul in the first 40 days, and even in the latter stages of pregnancy, the fetus has a lower moral status than the mother (Cline). So far, the main religions in the country and perhaps worldwide have once accepted abortion for one reason or another. Islam and Abortion, Muslim theologians condemn abortion, but there is ample room in Islamic tradition for permitting it (Cline). Generally, limited to the early stages of pregnancy and only on the condition that there are very good reasons for it are abortions “allowed”. Even later abortions may be permitted, but only if it can be described as not having an abortion would lead to a worse situation. Buddhism and Abortion, There are, however, exceptions — there are different levels of life and not all life is equal (Cline). Abortion to save the life of the mother, or if not done for selfish and hateful reasons is “allowed.” Abortion is a serious ethical issue and it is only natural that most major religions would have something to say on the issue, even if only indirectly. Opponents of abortion will be quick to point out those aspects of religious traditions which somehow condemn or prohibit abortion, but we must keep in mind the very obvious fact that abortion has been practiced in every society and for as far back as we have historical records.
Each year, almost half of all pregnancies among American women are unintended. About half of these unplanned pregnancies, 1.3 million each year, are ended by abortion (P. Susan Dudley). There are many myths and misconceptions about who gets abortions, and why. The fact is that the women who have abortions come from all racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds. If current rates continue, it is estimated that 35% of all women of reproductive age in America today will have had an abortion by the time they reach the age of 45. No matter what your race, ethnicity, economic status and religion is a woman should have 100 percent of the say in whether or not she should get an abortion. They are the ones that have to come to a decision; they are the ones that have to carry the burden or guilt …if any… for the rest of their life. More so, if a woman is a young woman she should be able to make the decision. A teen considering abortion is influenced by where she lives, her religious beliefs, her relationship with her parents, access to family planning services, and the behavior of her peers. According to the Guttmatcher Institute, the reason teens most often give for having an abortion are they do not want their lives changed by the birth of a baby, not being able to afford a baby and not feeling mature or responsible enough to raise a child (Lowen). The answer to such reasons would simply be to use protection or abstinence. But accidents and things happen in life. Women have abortions for a variety of reasons, but in general they choose abortion because a pregnancy at that time is in some way wrong for them.
Research indicates that relief is the most common emotional response following abortion, and that psychological distress appears to be greatest before, rather than after, an abortion. If there is some type of post abortion syndrome there is help for that. Thinking logically, if and when a woman gets an abortion and wanted the abortion there should not be further feeling of guilt or sadness following the procedure. Additionally, if the pregnancy was unintended and unplanned but accepted by the woman, there is no reason why the abortion would take place.
Abortion is legal, and even if it were not, illegal abortion would still be an option (Why Pro-life? – Abortion Facts). For many decades and centuries abortion has been practices amongst many societies and religions. It is a safe medical procedure, several religions have once accepted it, and after all it is within the woman’s right to choice what she should go through. Pro-choice and Pro- life advocates have an equal right to state their opinion and so do each and every one of the woman that decide to have an abortion. Why should anyone that is not the woman going through the procedure and rough experience have any say in the decision being made? Everyone will always have something to say whether what has been done is right or wrong.
Works Cited
Cline, Austin. Abortion & Religion: Diverse Religious Traditions on the Morality of Abortion. 9 May 2012 <http://atheism.about.com/od/abortioncontraception/p/Religions.htm>.
Lowen, Linda. Why Teens Choose Abortion. 27 May 2009. 9 May 2012 <http://womensissues.about.com/od/teenpregnancy/a/TeenAbortReasons.htm>.
Susan Dudley, PhD. Women Who Choose Abortion. 2006. 9 May 2012 <http://www.prochoice.org/about_abortion/facts/women_who.html>.
Susan Dudley, PhD, and Beth Kruse, MS, CNM, ARNP. National Abortion Federation: Safety of Abortion. 2006. 9 May 2012 <http://www.prochoice.org/about_abortion/facts/safety_of_abortion.html>.
Why Pro-life? – Abortion Facts. 9 May 2012 <http://www.whyprolife.com/pro-choice-arguments/>.
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